India need not worry about the new Covid variant of XBB.1.5 as 90% of its eligible population has been vaccinated with 30-40% given a booster dose, said Dr M Wali, a physician at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi.
However, at the same time, Dr Wali asked people to “be vigilant” and isolate their elderly and children while advising against stepping outside unnecessarily. He advised people to “follow Covid-appropriate behavior and most importantly wear masks”.
Dr. Wali emphasized the importance of immunity in fighting the virus, saying that a booster dose, strong immunity, primary infection and immunization combine to reduce the virulence of the virus. Infected individuals only need to be isolated and their samples sent for genome sequencing; There is no need to send them to the hospital.
Three foreign travelers, including from China and Australia, have been declared healthy, Dr. Wali said, referring to foreign travelers carrying the Covid virus who arrived in Gujarat by air from Australia and China. A woman and her fiance were found infected in Rajkot. Both of them were traveling abroad with their two-year-old child.
Before departure, all foreign passengers traveling to India from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand are now required to submit an RT-PCR report. A report will also be required to be uploaded on the Air Facilitation webpage from January 1, 2023.
